Montgomery Rideshare Accident Attorney
Have you been involved in a Lyft or Uber accident in Montgomery? You’re likely feeling overwhelmed, coping with injuries, mounting medical bills, and possibly lost wages. You may have lots of uncertainty and questions about what to do next.
Should you consult a lawyer?
Absolutely.
At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we understand your challenges and can help you find a path forward.
An experienced Montgomery rideshare accident lawyer with Alexander Shunnarah can answer your questions and guide you through this difficult time.
You may be eligible to file a personal injury claim to recover damages for your injuries, losses, and suffering. We offer free, no-obligation consultations so that anyone injured in an Uber or Lyft accident can get the help of an experienced and proven attorney without worrying about costs.
Why Choose Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys for Your Montgomery Rideshare Accident Case?
Rideshare accidents can be notoriously complex, often involving multiple parties and insurance policies. Our team has solid experience handling these cases and knows how to navigate the intricacies of rideshare accident claims.
If you’ve been injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Montgomery, Alabama, we’re here to help. At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we know the unique challenges that come with rideshare accidents in our city.
We also know Montgomery inside and out. From the busy streets of our ever-evolving downtown to the quieter eastern suburbs and bustling commercial zones, we understand the local traffic patterns, laws, and common accident hotspots that could impact your case.
We’re not just lawyers; we’re your neighbors. As a local firm, we’re deeply invested in our community. When you work with us, you’ll have direct access to a dedicated team focused on your case. While we can’t guarantee outcomes, our record of successful settlements and verdicts demonstrates our commitment to fighting for our clients’ rights.
Understanding Rideshare Accidents in Montgomery, AL
Uber and Lyft are becoming more and more integral to daily life for many Montgomery residents. Rideshare services offer convenient transportation options, whether for daily commutes or as a responsible alternative to driving after a night out.
You expect a safe journey when you request a ride. But in an instant, your routine trip can turn into a nightmare of pain, confusion, and worry if you’re involved in an accident.
As rideshare usage increases in Montgomery, so does the potential for rideshare-related accidents.
According to a recent Alabama Department of Transportation Crash Facts report, there were 9,224 traffic crashes in Montgomery County, resulting in 69 deaths and hundreds more injuries, many of which were serious and life-changing, according to ALDOT.
While this data isn’t specific to rideshare accidents, it underscores the overall risks on our roads and the need for drivers to be as attentive and completely engaged with the road.
When you’ve suffered injuries in a Lyft or Uber accident, a seasoned Montgomery rideshare accident attorney can provide a lifeline.
The Impact of Rideshare Services on Traffic Safety
A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study noted that ridesharing companies have facilitated more than 11 billion trips worldwide since 2010. While these services have been associated with some positive trends in traffic safety, they have also resulted in serious accidents.
Research from various sources, including the Cato Institute and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has shown:
- A general decline in fatal accident rates following the introduction of rideshare services in many areas.
- Potential reductions in alcohol-related crashes, nighttime accidents, and overall vehicular fatalities.
- A decline in arrest rates for driving under the influence (DUI) in areas where ridesharing is available.
While these trends are encouraging, ridesharing presents unique risks to drivers and passengers alike. When these special risks lead to accidents, devastating consequences can occur.
The flip side of this picture isn’t so encouraging. Multiple studies about ridesharing accidents have linked them to a significant rise in traffic accidents, including those resulting in fatalities and injuries.
The University of Chicago conducted a study closely analyzing traffic trends in major U.S. cities after the introduction of Uber and other ride-hailing companies. Accounting for traffic volume, transportation choices, and crashes, researchers found that U.S. traffic deaths went from a historically low level to a sharp increase after ridesharing services were introduced.
In real numbers, the researchers linked ridesharing services to a 3% annual increase in fatal traffic accidents nationwide, claiming the lives of 987 people annually.
What Makes Montgomery Rideshare Accident Cases So Complex?
Rideshare accident cases are usually more complicated than typical car accident cases due to:
- Multiple Parties: Your case could involve the rideshare driver, the company, other drivers, and various insurance companies.
- Insurance Complications: Rideshare companies have complex insurance policies that apply differently depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
- Determining Liability: Establishing fault in an accident can be exceptionally complex when multiple vehicles and insurance companies are involved.
- Evolving Laws: As rideshare services are relatively new, laws and regulations surrounding them continue to evolve.
Considering the complexity of ridesharing accidents from a legal perspective, an experienced Montgomery Lyft or Uber accident lawyer attorney by your side is the best way to navigate your claim.
At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we stay up-to-date on the latest developments in rideshare law and have the resources to investigate your case thoroughly.
Common Causes of Rideshare Accidents in Montgomery
While Uber and Lyft have become convenient parts of life in Montgomery and throughout Alabama, they’re not immune to the dangers all drivers face on our roads. The unique nature of rideshare work can sometimes contribute to additional risk factors. Common rideshare accident causes include:
- Distracted driving: Rideshare drivers face additional distractions unique to their work, including:
- Frequently checking GPS for directions
- Monitoring the rideshare app for new requests
- Interacting with passengers
- Multitasking while driving
- Driver fatigue: Many rideshare drivers work long or irregular hours, which can lead to fatigue-related accidents.
- Unfamiliarity with local roads: Rideshare drivers must often navigate unfamiliar areas, which can cause them to make sudden stops, hestitate, or miss traffic signs.
- Pressure to complete trips quickly: The rideshare business model can create pressure for drivers to complete trips as quickly as possible, potentially leading to speeding or aggressive driving.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: While companies have vehicle requirements, maintenance responsibility often falls on individual drivers.
- Impaired driving: While strictly against company policies, impaired driving can still occur.
- Inexperienced drivers: The low barriers to entry for rideshare driving can sometimes mean less experienced drivers on the road.
Common Injuries in Montgomery Uber and Lyft Accidents
Accidents involving rideshare services like Uber and Lyft can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor to severe. Some common injuries include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Back injuries, including herniated discs
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD
These injuries can have long-lasting impacts on your health, ability to work, and quality of life. At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we work with medical professionals to understand all of your injuries and their potential long-term implications. A thorough understanding of your injuries and how they may impact your future helps us fight for compensation that reflects the true impact of the accident on your life.
What Kind of Compensation is Available in Montgomery Uber and Lyft Accident Cases?
If you’ve been involved in a Montgomery Lyft or Uber accident, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, including:
- Medical Expenses: Cost to cover current and future medical care related to your injuries.
- Lost Income: Compensation for lost work and income because of your injuries.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries impact your ability to work in the future.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for your physical pain and emotional distress.
- Property Damage: Costs for repairing or replacing your vehicle or other damaged property.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from enjoying activities you once did.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer.
- Wrongful Death: If the unthinkable has happened and you lost a loved one in a fatal rideshare accident, you may be able to claim funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering.
The specific compensation you may recover depends on the details of your case. At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we’ll work to ensure all your damages are accounted for and fight for the maximum compensation possible.
Understanding Rideshare Insurance Coverage in Montgomery
Rideshare companies have insurance coverage that covers accidents within certain limits. Their policies may affect the amount of compensation you can seek for your injuries and losses. Uber and Lyft provide different levels of insurance coverage depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident:
- Offline or app is off: The driver’s personal auto insurance applies.
- Available or waiting for a ride request: The rideshare company’s insurance provides minimum liability coverage as outlined in Alabama law.
- En route to pick up passengers and during trips: Coverage increases significantly, typically providing $1 million in third-party liability coverage.
Let Our Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers Handle the Insurance Companies
Any rideshare passengers injured in an accident can expect to be contacted by an insurance adjuster for the at-fault party. In some cases, there may be more than one insurer involved.
While it might seem straightforward to discuss your case with them or accept an offer to settle, doing so can seriously jeopardize your ability to recover fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Insurance adjusters, whether representing the rideshare company or other involved parties, are trained professionals whose primary goal is to minimize the company’s financial liability. They may use tactics to downplay your injuries, shift blame to other parties, or push you to accept a quick settlement that doesn’t fully cover your long-term needs.
Even seemingly innocent statements you make could be twisted and used against you later. Moreover, the complex nature of rideshare accidents involving multiple parties and insurance policies makes it easy for claimants to inadvertently shortchange themselves.
Allow a skilled Montgomery rideshare accident lawyer with Alexander Shunnarah to handle all communications with the insurance companies. That way, you can avoid any potential pitfalls. We will protect your rights, reject any lowball insurance offers, and fight for every dollar of compensation you deserve,
Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Seek Legal Help After a Montgomery Rideshare Crash
Taking legal action is important after a rideshare accident in Montgomery for many reasons:
- Evidence preservation: Critical evidence can disappear or degrade over time.
- Witness recollections: Witness’s memories of the accident can fade quickly.
- Statute of limitations: Alabama’s two-year statute of limitations can pass quickly when building a strong case. There are also exceptions to the rule that could affect your case.
- Insurance company tactics: Having a lawyer from the start can protect you from potentially harmful statements or lowball settlement offers.
- Focus on recovery: By letting us handle the legal aspects, you can focus on your recovery without the stress of coping with negotiations, red tape, and uncertainty.
- Trial ready: Rideshare companies and their insurers know that, as trial lawyers, we don’t play around with our clients’ claims. Insurers make higher settlement offers, and they are more receptive to negotiating a fair deal for you. If they refuse to settle fairly, we are prepared to argue your case before a judge or jury.
Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Can Make a Difference
At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we’re more than just your legal representatives – we’re your advocates, your support system, and your neighbors here in Montgomery.
We understand that behind every case is a person whose life has been seriously disrupted by an accident. That’s why we approach each case with compassion, dedication, and a commitment to securing the best possible outcome for our clients.
We’re not afraid to take on big insurance companies or go to trial if that’s what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve. Our firm has a reputation for aggressive advocacy and a record of successful outcomes in complex cases, including those involving rideshare accidents.
Don’t let the complexities of rideshare regulations overwhelm you. If you’ve been injured in a Montgomery Lyft or Uber accident, contact Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and help you understand how Alabama’s rideshare regulations may impact your claim.
Call our Montgomery office at (334) 489-2163 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with a Montgomery personal injury lawyer. Remember, you don’t pay unless we win your case. Don’t face the aftermath of a rideshare accident alone – let Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys: Accident & Injury Lawyers – Montgomery Office
504 S Perry St
Montgomery, AL 36104
Ph: (501) 817-9699
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